Kevin McManus checks his smart phone, as he sits in a pew in San Fernando Cathedral, for the announcement of the new Pope in the Vatican, on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at San Fernando Cathedral. McManus is catholic and is interested in who the next Pope will be. less

Kevin McManus checks his smart phone, as he sits in a pew in San Fernando Cathedral, for the announcement of the new Pope in the Vatican, on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at San Fernando Cathedral. McManus is ... more

Photo: Bob Owen, San Antonio Express-News

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Rene Zimmermann of Houston, stops to take a picture of a statue of Pope John Paul II in San Fernando Cathedral, who visited the Alamo city in 1987. Zimmermann, a catholic, said, "it doesn't matter where he's from, but wheather or not they can lead the church", of the announcement of the new Pope in the Vatican, on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. less

Rene Zimmermann of Houston, stops to take a picture of a statue of Pope John Paul II in San Fernando Cathedral, who visited the Alamo city in 1987. Zimmermann, a catholic, said, "it doesn't matter where he's ... more

Photo: Bob Owen, San Antonio Express-News

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Faithful at San Fernando applaud new pope

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“I hope he broadens and makes things much more up-to-date,” she said. “It's been so old-fashioned and archaic.”

“Catholics in Boston might be disappointed that our own Cardinal O'Malley was not appointed; we kept hearing that he might be in the running,” Sunshine said.

But Sunshine, who isn't Catholic, said the appointment of a South American pope is a good sign.

“This is a great day for the Catholic Church, that they've gone outside the box,” he said. “I think it's a great day for South America, and I'm sure he'll take on the problems that have come up over the last several years.”

Frankie Martinez, 22, who works in the San Fernando Cathedral gift shop, echoed those sentiments.

He said the election of a South American pope “is going to make a lot of people happy,” but he said he hopes Francis can resolve problems such as the sex abuse scandal that have plagued the church.

“I know there's a lot of the scandals hanging around from years and years before, so I hope he can clear some of that up,” Martinez said.

San Antonio's Argentine community couldn't be happier.

“We were all very excited,” said Rolando Rodriguez, whose wife, Dharma, hails from Buenos Aires, the birthplace of Pope Francis I. “This is something we were all hoping for, but didn't expect.”

Rodriguez said the announcement of the new Latin American pope was particularly exciting for Argentines in San Antonio because many are from Buenos Aires.

Dharma Rodriguez, a native of Argentina who moved to San Antonio when she was 25 years old, said she is filled with pride and hope after the announcement of the new pope.

“Some people have told me it is better than winning a World Cup,” she said.

Rodriguez said she would have been happy if anyone from Latin America had been selected, but the news of an Argentine pontiff makes it that much better.

She said her first impression of Pope Francis I is one of humility, adding, she hopes for a renewal of the Catholic Church.

“I was crying,” Bedolla said about his reaction to today's news of the new pope.

But the new pontiff's Latin American roots, Bedolla said, won't — or shouldn't — matter.

“I don't think it makes a difference. He's not going to be a Latin American Pope,” Bedolla said. “He's going to be the pope for the whole church. I just rejoice in seeing the fact that he was elected and the fact he seems to be a very humble and saintly man.”

Bedolla added that Pope Francis' Jesuit background will bring about more change than his ethnic roots.

“(Benedict) taught through his letters... homilies. Pope Francis is a Jesuit and the Jesuits call themselves contemplatives in action. (He) will teach through the way he lives his life,” Bedolla said. “He will be different because he will be asking us to become a church committed to the poor and a missionary church.”

Bedolla added that perhaps his choosing Francis is not only a nod to St. Francis of Assisi, but St. Francis of Xavier, a missionary.

“It's a hopeful sign for our church, not only in Latin America, but in the U.S., especially where there's a huge Hispanic presence,” Bouzigard said.

San Antonio resident Manuel Torres said that although traditions are hard to change, he does see some changes coming for the Catholic Church he left 42 years ago.

“If they have someone that is not from Europe I think the Catholic Church is going to have lots of changes,” said Torres, while sitting on his front porch on the city's West Side.

However, for others a new pope doesn't make much of a difference.

“For me it doesn't really matter. Whoever the Pope is, wherever he's from — it doesn't really matter,” said Jesus Lara, owner of La Chiquita Bakery. Lara, a Catholic, admitted he is much more concerned about his work.

For others like Bedolla, the new leadership brings excitement.

“It isn't a change of focus, but rather a progression from this deep reflection on the mystery of Christ and all the things Benedict taught to, 'Now you know about Christ, you have to live like Christ lived,'” he said.
stressler@express-news.net